Become a Medical Assistant - Medical Assistant Degree Programs

Medical Assisting is a rewarding and growing career that requires proper training.  An education from an accredited school can be an important step toward the goal of becoming a Medical Assistant.

Medical Assistants perform a variety of tasks that keep the offices of physicians and other health practitioners running smoothly. They require clinical as well as administrative training as the duties of a Medical Assistant typically include prepping patients for medical examinations, taking patients’ medical histories and vital signs, checking patients in and out of appointments, and giving injections, as well as answering the telephone, recording patient data, and billing. They are in constant communication with both patients and staff, and are often times handling multiple tasks at once.

The Arizona College of Allied Health offers both Diploma and Associates Degree programs designed to provide the best education and experience for students looking to break into the field of Medical Assisting. Arizona College offers accelerated morning and evening classes to help you make your dream of becoming a Medical Assistant a reality.

Timeline for success:

• Certification is not required, however, we recommend graduates to get certified as resume enhancements during the interview process.
• Arizona College graduates are eligible to be certified by two organizations.
  • American Medical Technologists offers Registered Medical Assistant (RMA),
  • American Association of Medical Assistants offers the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA).
• The timeframe that each graduate takes to complete the certification process is in the graduates hands as far as their priority of completing the process.  However, the American Association of Medical Assistants requires the graduate to take and pass the exam in 60 months after graduation.

Certifications & Exams:

• American Medical Technologists website (amt1.com) has a Student Certification Process outline and guide.
  • First the graduate obtains the application (can be obtained on the website). 
  • Second, the graduate completes the online application and pays the $95 application fee.
  • Third, the graduate decides on an examination process which includes Pearson Vue computer testing centers in which the graduate will immediately know their score.
  • Study!  Students can obtain study outlines and practice examinations by visiting the AMT website.
  • Take examination
  • Pass examination
  • Look for Certificate and Membership information in the mail
• American Association of Medical Assistants website (aama-ntl.org) has a Student Certification Process outline and guide.
  • Graduate obtains the application (can be obtained on the website)
  • Complete the online application and pay the $125 application fee
  • After the Graduate’s application has been approved and processed, a permit is issued and the graduate must schedule their examination appointment.
  • Study!  Visit the AAMA website for review outlines and practice examinations.
  • Take examination
  • Pass examination
  • Look for Certificate and wallet card in the mail

How much will each step cost?

• American Medical Technologists - $95 application fee
• American Association of Medical Assistants - $125 application fee

Are there any “deal breakers” that will prevent me from being able to complete a step (felonies, misdemeanors, etc.)?

• The certifying body will determine on a case by case basis whether the applicant will be allowed to receive their license or sit for their certification exam if the applicant has any felonies or misdemeanors.